Don't get me wrong, handheld gaming PCs like the Asus ROG Ally, MSI Claw 8 AI+, and the Lenovo Legion Go are all still an easy choice over the Switch 2 as they more than likely still have more powerful hardware (as we don't know the exact specs of Nvidia's chip just yet).

In my Steam Deck review, I labeled it the “Nintendo Switch for adults.” In an ironic twist, it now seems the Switch’s successor could be the best handheld for adults and children alike thanks to its robust first- and especially third-party support. Here’s why the Nintendo Switch 2 could be the best handheld for playing third-party games.

With any new video game console, the question is always Why now? To find the answer, I woke up bright and early on Wednesday morning to attend a hands-on preview of the Nintendo Switch 2 —solely because the gaming company has long responded to the question with a machine unlike anything I have ever seen before.

Is it a game? Is it a manual? Maybe it's just a showcase. Whatever you want to call it, you're definitely going to have to pay for Switch 2 Welcome Tour, a launch game for the new Nintendo Switch 2 handheld, though exactly how much isn't yet clear.

After the Switch launched, a new wave of handhelds emerged. The Steam Deck was able to carve out its own audience, but can it compete with the new Switch 2?

Depending on what you want from a gaming handheld, the Steam Deck or the Switch 2 will fit your needs better. I've compared them to help you determine which one you should buy.